Monroe Academy outscored Escambia Academy 22-2 in the fourth period and beat the Cougars 57-43 tonight in Canoe.

The Cougars led 41-35 going into the final period of a game they needed to win in order to gain a high seed in the AISA Class 2A playoffs, which begin Feb. 5. The top two seeds from each region advance to the first round with the top seed earning a bye.

EA coach James Smith said right now it’s going to be hard to get to the playoffs, and added that it’s looking likely the Cougars will be a lower seed.

Smith said the boys, although they played well in the first three periods of the game, played under their own control in the fourth period.

Throughout the deciding period, the Vols attacked the basket, forcing EA to foul.

Clay Moye scored 11 of Monroe Academy’s 22 points in the fourth period. Moye led MA with 24 points.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s newspaper.